Bale poised for shock return home to Spurs
TOTTENHAM were last night thrashing out a deal to see former hero Gareth Bale make a sensational return to the club. On a dramatic day of high-level discussions — led by chairman Daniel Levy — Spurs believe they have moved into a position where they have a realistic chance of snatching the Real Madrid star from under the noses of Manchester United. Sportsmail understands Real will agree to pay in excess of 50 per cent of Bale’s astronomical wages of up to £500,000 per week in order to facilitate the deal. Levy was also trying to close a deal for Real’s highly-rated left-back
Sergio Reguilon yesterday. Tottenham are believed to have explored a loan or permanent deal for Bale, which could include a swap for one of Tottenham’s premium first-team players. Sources even claimed last night that Spurs are prepared to use Dele Alli as a makeweight in the Bale deal, such is their determination to clinch the deal. Spurs are confident they will re-sign the 31-year-old who they sold for a then world-record fee of £85.3million in 2013. Tottenham have explored the idea of trying to lure Bale back in previous seasons — but this is the closest they have come to making it a reality. United retain an interest in signing Bale as an alternative to Jadon Sancho, but Tottenham are in pole position. Spurs were also locked in advanced talks to sign £25m-rated Reguilon from the Bernabeu yesterday. Similarly, United have an interest in the Spain international but are set to be pipped by Spurs. It is understood Reguilon was originally attracted by a move to Old Trafford but the 23year-old has been made aware of how desperate manager Jose Mourinho is to work with him, which has made a move to Spurs a strong possibility. Real are understood to want a buy-back clause in any departure for Reguilon, and Spurs are said to be more open to agreeing to that stipulation than United. Bale was one of the options being considered by United if they abandon their pursuit of Sancho over Borussia Dortmund’s demand for a transfer fee of £108m. It’s also understood United were only prepared to commit £10m to a deal for Bale.